BUSINESS NEWS
IT firm calls on telecom business
A West Midlands IT company has continued its expansion by taking over a Warwickshire telecoms firm. ACUTEC, which is based in
Coleshill, has bought Stratford- upon-Avon-based Chase Meadow Communications to add further telephony expertise to its business offer.
Chris Roche, managing director of
Speakers (left to right): Tony Elliott (Chantrey Vellacott DFK), Chris Moore (Avidity IP), Dennis Turner, Adrian Gill, Joanne Yapp-Pennino (all HSBC), Paul Fenner (Chantrey Vellacott DFK) and Surbjit Gogna (Avidity IP)
Innovation on event agenda P
rospects for growth in 2012 and how innovation can be used to drive success were among topics discussed at a lunch seminar in Birmingham. Focused on helping innovative companies grow and
increase their net worth, the event was established by Paul Fenner of Chantrey Vellacott DFK, Joanne Yapp- Pennino of HSBC Bank plc and Surbjit Gogna of Avidity IP (formerly HLBBshaw). Dr Chris Moore, senior attorney and director at HLBBshaw, spoke about the different types of intellectual property (IP) and how companies should leverage their IP as a tool for growth and building value.
Tony Elliott, tax director at Chantrey Vellacott DFK, said the event was a good opportunity for innovative companies to find out about the benefits of Research and Development (R&D) tax credits and other tax initiatives. “The R&D tax credit system is a very generous tax
relief available to a wide range of firms embracing innovation and developing cutting edge products,” Tony said. “UK companies have claimed as much as £52 billion in R&D credits since 2000 and as a firm we have helped hundreds of companies to develop and grow through innovation and successful claims.”
Transport case to Greening
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group has written to Justine Greening, the new Secretary of State for Transport, setting out the many important transport issues that are vital to Birmingham’s businesses. Chamber chief executive Jerry Blackett said high speed rail is the only
effective way to address the capacity constraints that blight the West Coast Mainline and to encourage investment away from the South-East. In a survey of Birmingham Chamber members, 77 per cent reported their support for HS2, recognising the significant business benefits to be secured. He seeks continued government support for the expansion of Birmingham Airport’s runway and urges the government to press ahead with investment plans for smarter traffic management, hard shoulder running and better signage. Mr Blackett said: “Birmingham is at the heart of the UK’s transport
networks and local businesses tell us every day about the importance of great physical connectivity as a means of creating economic growth.”
ACUTEC, said: “We set out a couple of years ago to grow both organically and by acquisition and we are continuing with that strategy. “We saw an opportunity to
takeover Chase Meadow Communications and to add its technical director, Paul Shirley, to our team here. That has happened and we are confident this is an area of the market we can continue to expand into.” Chase Meadow Communications
serviced around 75 clients across the Midlands and that will continue. Chris added: “The ‘traditional’ IT side of the business is growing too and we are looking to recruit further staff. “We are delighted to be growing in the current climate and that’s because we ensure all of our clients see the value we add to their business.”
NOVEMBER 2011 CHAMBERLINK 11
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